Espinal Holds Oversight Hearing On Pregnancy Service Centers In NYC
City Council Member Rafael Espinal (D-Cypress Hills, Bushwick, City Line, Oceanhill-Brownsville, East New York) led the Committee on Consumer Affairs’ oversight hearing entitled: “The Enforcement of Local Law 17 of 2011, and the Regulation of Pregnancy Service Centers,” yesterday.
Local Law 17 (LL 17/2011) requires Pregnancy Service Centers (PSCs) to make certain disclosures to clients both orally and in writing including: notice of whether the PSC has a licensed medical provider on staff (“status disclosure”) and a notice that the New York City Department of Health (NYC DOH) and Mental Hygiene encourage women who are or may be pregnant to consult with a licensed medical professional (“government message disclosure”).
The legislation was enacted to address several deceptive practices by PSCs. Nearly all PSCs offer free pregnancy testing (most are over-the-counter & self-administered tests) and several offer ultrasounds to clients. Providing these tests and ultrasounds helps foster an impression among women who visit these centers that PSCs are medical facilities. However, they are not actually licensed medical facilities.
On October 19, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Espinal sent a letter to DCA Commissioner, Lorelei Salas requesting information on complaints received, investigations conducted, violations issued, and hearings conducted. Yesterday’s hearing continued this fact-finding mission, investigating ways to strengthen Local Law 17 of 2011 and other strategies to protect consumers when interacting with these establishments. At the hearing, witnesses from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and several advocacy groups testified.
“Manipulating and deceiving women– especially during one of their most vulnerable times– is unacceptable. NYC must strongly enforce its laws, particularly Local Law 17 of 2011, which intends to protect consumers and limit these deceptive tactics. After today’s insightful hearing I look forward to continuing this conversation and working with all stakeholders to strengthen Local Law 17, as well as, to enhance our outreach and enforcement efforts,” said Espinal.
Gentile Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony For New Field At McKinley Park
City Council member Vincent J. Gentile (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) alongside Parks Commissioner Martin Maher and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony today for the new McKinley Park Softball Field in South Brooklyn.
The field will function as a youth softball and multi-purpose play area for the kids in the community. Gentile will officially present to the public the multi-purpose sports ground complete with synthetic turf and amenities.
Gentile allocated $1.2 Million for the project and ensured it’s completion in order to serve as the new home for St. Anselm Church’s softball program and their Youth Activities Organization.
The event is slated for 4 p.m., today, Nov. 16, at McKinley Park (Kathy Reilly Triangle) located at Bay Ridge Parkway between Fort Hamilton Parkway and 7th Avenue in Dyker Heights.
Mosley Reacts To NYCHA State Audit & Calls For Resignation of Chairwoman
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) demanded an immediate state audit of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and the resignation of Chairwoman Shola Olatoye yesterday, in the wake of the city agencies disturbing revelations.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that Olatoye lied about lead poisoning inspections in about 55,000 potentially dangers NYCHA apartments. Olatoye is accused by investigators of submitting false paperwork on the inspections and putting thousands of kids at risk by blowing off mandatory inspections.
“As a standing member of the Assembly Housing Committee, I am shocked and disturbed by the latest news that senior New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) officials not only failed to conduct critical lead safety inspections in over fifty thousand apartments, but falsely certified that these mandatory checks had been performed and that all legal requirements were met,” said Mosley.
“This complete lack of oversight has put thousands of people, including children and seniors, at risk of lead poisoning. After witnessing the gross negligence that led to the horrifying conditions in Flint, Michigan, it is entirely unacceptable that lead checks were falsely certified and that people’s health and wellbeing were put at risk. We can no longer assume that NYCHA’s top officials are doing everything in their power to protect our communities,” Molsey continued.
“By failing to comply with the necessary regulations that keep our most vulnerable citizens safe, NYCHA officials have effectively cast a dark cloud over their entire agency. This is why I am calling for an immediate State audit review of NYCHA, as well as for the resignation of Chairwoman Shola Olatoye. We need to hold the NYCHA administration accountable for this disturbing lack of safety measures,” added Mosley.
Hikind Defends Yeshiva Education
Assembly member Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) defended Yeshiva education in a recent interview with CBS’s new anchor Marcia Kramer, who is investigating the controversy created by Yaffed, which has accused Hasidic schools of providing less than adequate secular education.
Yaffed is organization founded by individuals raised within the ultra-Orthodox communities of New York City that is committed to improving secular education in Hasidic and ultra-Orthodox schools. They in recent years have been very vocal about the lack of math and science curriculum in Yeshivas.
“Our community—indeed, our entire culture—is centered around education. That stereotype about Jews being smart or successful? That’s because from the minute we’re old enough to learn, our parents begin stressing education. There’s plenty of secular education in our yeshivas—some have more, some have less. But parents make those choices when they select the yeshivas that they want to send their children to,” said Hikind.
“Can we do better? There isn’t a single institution that I’ve seen that can’t find room for improvement. But the proof of yeshiva education is in the results. Our schools give a boy solid values, history, philosophy… the child learns to be a mensch. Does yeshiva education prepare them to be a professor at a local college, or a news anchor on a major network? That’s not something they necessarily want. But they go into business, and plenty of them become doctors and accountants and enter other professions. People makes choices; parents make choices, and that’s their right,” added Hikind.
Donovan Targets Funding for Palestinian Authority; Discusses Tax Reform Plan
Congressman Dan Donovan (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) voted to pass the Taylor Force Act out of the Foreign Affairs Committee yesterday.
The legislation is named after West Point graduate and Army veteran Taylor Force, who was studying abroad in Israel in pursuit of a Master’s degree when a Palestinian assailant stabbed him to death in an act of terror.
The legislation that bears his name would end U.S. financial assistance to the Palestinian Authority until it stops compensating terrorists for their acts of violence. The bill would also withhold U.S. economic assistance unless the Palestinian Authority takes credible steps to end acts of violence against Israelis and Americans; revokes its laws compensating prisoners who committed acts of terrorism; and publicly condemns acts of violence. The measure passed out of committee unanimously.
“The Palestinian Authority is among the world’s biggest recipients of foreign aid while they also pay generously for acts of murder and terror. This legislation says ‘no more’ – American dollars should not fund a regime that supports attacks on the innocent,” said Donovan.
Additionally, today Donovan alongside House Republicans King (NY-2), Zeldin (NY-1) and Faso (NY-19) will speak about their opposition to the proposed tax plan.
In recent weeks, Republican leaders have been floating a new version of a tax bill that inlcudes significant tax cuts and changes in the health-care mandate amongst other reforms. The legislation would eliminate deductions on which large portions of their constituencies rely, including the state and local income tax deduction, the property tax deduction, and the mortgage interest deduction.
Donovan is slated to make his remarks on the proposed tax plan at 9:45 a.m., today, Nov. 16, at House Gallery Studio B (enter through HVC 117).
Los Sures To Provide Turkeys For Thanksgiving
Southside United HDFC-Los Sures will host its Community Thanksgiving Dinner that will serve 400 residents during the holiday weekend.
Los Sures has hosted a Community Thanksgiving Dinner for the past 15 years, allowing
residents to enjoy a meal and leave with a turkey to prepare for their families.
“At Southside United-Los Sures we have many things to be thankful for. Those things include
our community, residents and tenants. We are grateful to have an opportunity to break bread with
them and celebrate Thanksgiving with them,” said Juan Ramos, Executive Director of
Southside United HDFC-Los Sures.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Nov. 16, at First Spanish Presbyterian Church, at 157 South 3rd St in Williamsburg. Seating will be available for 400 guests this year, with meals also prepared to go.
